Gustave Vichy Automaton Bust of a Moroccan Harpist

Description:

Gustave Vichy Automaton Bust of a Moroccan Harpist, with papier-mache head, brown paperweight eyes with articulated lids, pierced ears with original gilt crescent moon earrings, open mouth, inset bone teeth, and black hair wig, holding a harp in her left hand, her right articulated at shoulder and wrist, the body containing going-barrel movement playing one tune and causing the lady to turn and incline her head gracefully, blinking throughout, as her hand moves across the strings with a lifting and plucking motion, in pale-pink and yellow shot-silk decorated with the original brass coins, on ebonized plinth with plaque G. Vichy, Paris, Model Depose, ht. 19 in., (professionally restored by John Gaughan).
Estimate $8,000-12,000

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